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V18, Issue 04/12, April/May 2025
Local Real Estate
Harbour Island, Spanish Wells & Eleuthera
BACK COVER: Bahamas Sotheby’s Int’l Realty
P 3: Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty
P 4: Better Homes and Gardens MCR Bahamas
P 5: HGC CHRISTIE’S Int’l Real Estate
In Focus: DID YOU KNOW?
Eleuthera and its Pineapple... 09
•
Home Builders, Garden and
Craft EXPO 04
•
Survivor Spearheads Flamingo
Incident Memorial 33
•
Seahorse National Park
Fundraiser 06
Our People, Life, Moments, Celebrations, Eforts, Strides...
10
20
16
44
ElEuthEra, harbour Island & spanIsh WElls,
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
FREE to read
First Keys Presented at Ocean Hole Estates
MakIng HoME oWnErSHIp a rEalIty: Four owners were formally presented with keys to their new homes within the Ocean Hole Estates Housing Development in Rock Sound on Thursday, May 1st,
2025.
22
INSIDE
EBo - Infrastructure panel
talking Utilities - roads,
Electricity, and Water...
ADVICE
Going Down the Drain 12
COMMENtARy
Outreach to CARICOM 11
CONSERVAtION
School Without Walls 27
Police Reports
Select summaries 34
Upcoming
Calendared for June + 29
FEatUrED: See the colour, talent, and
creativity of Eleuthera JUnIor JUnkanoo
(part 2) on pages 37-41
18
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The Eleutheran
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First-Ever Home
Builders, Garden and
Craft Expo Coming to
Eleuthera
Eleuthera is set to host its inaugural Home Build-
ers, Garden and Craft Expo, a groundbreaking event
aimed at empowering residents with knowledge and
resources to pursue homeownership and housing
projects. The expo will be held at Workers House in
Governors Harbour on Saturday, May 31st, from 10
a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, June 1st, from 11 a.m. to
6 p.m.
Organized by Stone Oak Bahamas in collabora-
tion with ART Development, MST Fiberglass Rebar,
the Eleuthera Sustainability Council, and the Eleu-
thera Chamber of Commerce, this event marks a
significant step toward fostering local development
and community growth. Its primary goal is to edu-
cate Eleuthera residents about the various opportu-
nities available for building their dream homes and
to provide a clear pathway to homeownership.
A highlight of the expo will be a special work-
shop on Saturday, May 31st, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
featuring a lineup of dynamic speakers. The keynote
speaker will be Minister Clay Sweeting, Member
of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera and
Minister of Public Works, who will share insights on
housing development and government initiatives.
Attendees will also hear from industry experts and
community leaders dedicated to supporting hous-
ing projects on the island.
“This expo is about empowering our commu-
nity with the information and tools needed to build
a better future,” said Maria Deveaux - Business De-
velopment for Stone Oak Bahamas. “We are excited
to bring this first-time event to Eleuthera and look
forward to inspiring residents to turn their housing
dreams into reality... Don’t miss this opportunity to
take the first step toward building your future in
Eleuthera.”
Residents and visitors are encouraged to attend
this weekend of learning, networking, and commu-
nity engagement. For more information, visit the
Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce or contact organiz-
ers directly.
Event Details:
When: May 31st, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | June 1st, 11
a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Workers House, Governors Harbour,
Eleuthera
HOME BUIlDERS- EXPO
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The Eleutheran
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The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is
seeking to close the fnancing gap for
the initial development of the coun-
try’s newest national park by hosting a
fundraiser in Eleuthera on May 28.
Ofcially declared on September
7, 2023 after nearly a decade of out-
reach and petitioning, Seahorse Na-
tional Park (SNP) at Sweetings Pond
and Hatchet Bay Caves in Eleuthera
protects what is believed to be the
densest population of seahorses in
the world. It also protects the historic
Hatchet Bay Cave - one of the longest
cave systems in The Bahamas.
This latest addition to The Bahamas’
national park system has the potential
to become a world-renowned national
park and a blueprint for sustainable
recreation and tourism. To date, ad-
vancement activities have been funded
through the success of the BNT’s 2024
Pig Roast event, which raised $162,000
towards the $500,000 estimated to be
needed to facilitate the park’s initial de-
velopment.
These activities have included pur-
chasing and installing a mobile structure
to act as the BNT’s temporary park ofce;
clearing pathways and areas for trails
and parking; and installing gates.
The next steps, according to BNT Di-
rector of Parks Ellsworth Weir, are
to purchase and install solar panels,
SEAHORSE NAtIONAl PARK
BNt to Host Fundraiser for Seahorse
National Park in Eleuthera
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The Eleutheran
2025, April/MAy
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install running water, and pave the parking
area.
“We’ve made a lot of headway since last
year and you can defnitely see the progress,” said Weir.
“There’s been a lot of work done, but we just need to
get to the fnish line. Right now it all comes down to
funding. That’s where this fundraiser comes in.”
The Seahorse National Park Fundraiser will be a
cocktail event held in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera at
the Buccaneer Club on May 28, 2025. Tickets are $125
per person and can be purchased online at www.bnte-
vents.com or in person at the Buccaneer Club. Attend-
ees will enjoy live music, a silent auction with incred-
ible prizes, an open bar, and hors d’oeuvres.
BNT Executive Director Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle
said: “With this special event, we’re calling on the com-
munity to help us realize the potential of Seahorse
National Park and build a lasting conservation legacy
that benefts Eleutherans especially, but Bahamians
as a whole. This remarkable natural gem is poised to
bring unmatched value to local communities, and it
deserves our commitment and protection. We’ve no
doubt that with public and corporate support, we’ll
achieve our vision for Seahorse Na-
tional Park and be that much closer to
reopening it for public use and enjoy-
ment.”
Since its declaration, Seahorse
National Park has been temporarily
closed to the public to allow the BNT
to conduct critical scientifc assess-
ments, monitoring, infrastructure de-
velopment, and strategic planning to
guide the sustainable management
of the park and its resources. The or-
ganization hopes to soon reopen ac-
cess to the public. This fundraiser will play an impor-
tant role in making that happen.
Seahorse National Park spans 548 acres and has
many unique natural features that are popular at-
tractions. Once it’s reopened, the BNT plans to work
alongside the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Cor-
poration (BAIC), local farmers, and other stakeholders
- including a developing Park Advisory Committee - to
implement programs and infrastructure that w i l l
beneft both locals and visitors, such as an area for a
local farmers market and a foating dock.
The BNT remains committed to taking a science-
based, sustainable approach for the development of
Seahorse National Park and the preservation of its
natural beauty and resources, and invites the public
to support this endeavor through the upcoming Sea-
horse National Park Fundraiser. To learn more about
this event, visit https://bntevents.com/.
To learn more about the BNT’s role in managing
national parks, protecting wildlife, and informing en-
vironmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.
bs and follow its various social media channels: Face-
book, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
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The Eleutheran
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(Written by Godfrey Albert Kelly)
Every June, thousands of people
gather at Gregory Town to celebrate a
festival dedicated to the signifcance
of a defning fruit, ...the pineapple. Not
many of them are aware of the history
of this delicious bromeliad and its im-
pact on this small nation and its role in
Bahamian history.
After extensive research, your hum-
ble servant has uncovered some facts
about the pineapple industry. By no
means do I wish to imply that this ar-
ticle is a defnitive study, but it is at
least a start that might inspire others
to delve deeper into the subject.
In 1795, grants of land in the area
that became known as Gregory Town
were given to persons who had assisted
Colonel Andrew Deveaux in forcing out
the Spaniards from New Providence in
1783. This was known as the ‘Battle of
Nassau’. From this time forward, the set-
tlement of Gregory Town was to play a
prominent role in the pineapple indus-
try in The Bahamas.
First of all, some of the historical back-
ground on the subject. The Latin name
given to the pineapple is ‘Ananas como-
sus’. It originated in Brazil and Paraguay,
or rather where these two countries
were eventually established. Packed
with nutrients, it is a member of the bro-
meliad family.
Christopher Columbus frst encoun-
tered this fruit on his second voyage in
1493 in Guadeloupe. “It is shaped like a
pine cone,” he recorded, “but it is twice
as large and the favour is excellent.” The
Caribs called it ‘anna’ (excellent fruit),
and the Spaniards called it ‘rina’. The
English later called it ‘apple’.
In the 1500’s, the pineapple was intro-
duced by the Spanish to the Philippines
and Hawaii, but were not cultivated on a
commercial basis. In 1658, the frst Pines
to be successfully grown in Europe are
said to have been grown in Meersburg
by Peter Decourt in a hothouse.
The earliest record of pineapple cul-
tivation in the Bahamas is 1697. Pine-
apples were shipped to England where
they were considered a luxury fruit.
John Murray (Lord Dunmore) the 4th
Earl of Dunmore and Governor of the
Bahamas in the late 1790s, built a hot-
house on his estate in Scotland. He was
most likely introduced to the fruit dur-
ing his term as governor of the Bahama
Islands.
In the 1850s and beyond, Eleuthera
became known as the ‘Great Pine Gar-
den’ with exports peaking in 1872 at
119,100 dozen. These exports were to
Baltimore and New York.
Bringing the story closer to home, I
found that the pineapple story in Greg-
DID YOU KNOW? Eleuthera & Its Pineapple
With the Pineapple Festival of June approaching, Mr. Kelly brings into focus
a researched piece on the historical signifcance of this delicious fruit
» continued, pg. 44
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The Central Eleuthera District Council is focused
on bringing government closer to the people, en-
suring good representation and service delivery,
says, Mrs. Shauna Nairn Knowles, new District Chief
Councilor, and Town Chairman of the Governor’s Har-
bour township.
In an interview, during the fnal week in April, Mrs.
Knowles, accompanied by Administrator for Central
Eleuthera, Ms. Rochelle Anderson, shared their con-
certed goal of making sure that people were well rep-
resented at the local government level, and received a
high standard of service, saying, “The aim, the mandate
is that we ensure that persons here get not only good
representation from whoever the MPS are, or the minis-
ters are, but also from their elected board and commit-
tee members here. So, that’s ensuring that if they want
to get their house plans, their permits done, their fran-
chise licenses etc., they can do so. That’s all under [local
government] because those boards are appointed un-
der council.” The four statutory boards include road traf-
fc, town planning, hotel licensing and port authority.
Unfettered access to these essential services is a key
mandate of the local government district council, ex-
plained Administrator Anderson, and she encouraged
residents to reach out to their local representatives if
they had the need, saying, “They can call on the chief
councilor and she’s available. They can call the town
chairman, that person is available. They can call on
the administrator who works in collaboration with the
council. So you have two main persons - the adminis-
trator and the chief councilor in any district [who are
available to assist].”
The local government district council, and the town-
ship councils have also discussed plans for their areas
in the upcoming year, with several projects across the
six Central Eleuthera townships [Savannah Sound,
Palmetto Point, Governor’s Har-
bour, James’ Cistern, Hatchet Bay,
and Gregory Town], which will be
worked on. These include revamp-
ing recreational areas and clean
up campaigns. An initiative called
‘Safe Streets’ in partnership with
the Ministry of Works is another
key focus of the district council,
with plans to improve road sig-
nage and safety features across
the townships.
A signifcant aspect of their
strategy, shared Ms. Anderson and
Mrs. Knowles, involves fostering
public-private partnerships, em-
powering the council to engage
with community members, second
homeowners, and business own-
ers who are willing to contribute
resources and expertise.
Administrator Anderson, re-
lating an overview of some of
the projects and improvements
planned for the various townships
within the Central Eleuthera Dis-
trict, began in Governor’s Harbour
- outlining their plans to estab-
lish a community center aimed at
providing a safe space for young
people, facilities for educational
support and various community
activities. Approval has also been
received for complete renova-
tion of the administrative build-
ing, confrmed the administrator,
which has faced issues like mold
and insufcient space.
In Palmetto Point, the town-
ship committee is organizing the
homecoming event [which takes
place during the Labour Day/Whit
Monday holiday weekend in June],
with funds directed toward build-
ing a new bathroom facility in
Twin City Park playground. A clean
up campaign was also set to take
place in mid-May, involving the re-
moval of garbage and derelict ve-
hicles, as well as improving public
facilities like the bathroom at the
dock. Plans are also afoot to recon-
struct the southside dock, where
the homecoming event is held, to
enhance safety and revitalize func-
tionality.
Hatchet Bay looks to focus on
repairing and enhancing the bas-
ketball court and ensuring the
area is well-signposted for safe-
ty. Similar to other townships, a
clean-up campaign is planned to
Central Eleuthera District says they’re focused on these tenets
SERVICE, ACCESS & tRANSPARENCY
» continued, pg. 47
Pictured: (L-R) Central Eleuthera District Chief Councilor, Mrs. Shauna Nairn
Knowles, stands with Administrator for Central Eleuthera, Ms. Rochelle An-
derson.